putty in someone's hands

alternative putty in the hands of someone

1. idiomaticinformaluncountableOne who is readily manipulated or controlled by another person; a puppet.

   Why, Marseny, here, he wan't no more than so much putty in her hands.

   1894 May 27, Harold Frederic, “Marsena”, in New York Times, retrieved 27 Jul 2010, page 19

   3 more examples

   So long as she behaves in a way to keep his love and respect he's putty in her hands.

   1941 December 11, “Caroline Chatfield Says”, in St. Petersburg Times, retrieved 27 Jul 2010, page 17

   [H]e clocks on at 8.30 pm with the opening guitar notes of his most famous song, ‘Purple Rain’. Everyone is instantly putty in his hands.

   2007 August 5, Kitty Empire, “Nothing compares 2 Prince”, in guardian.co.uk, retrieved 27 Jul 2010

   Well, your looks had me putty in your hand now / But I took just as much as I can stand now

   2011, Mayer Hawthorne, “The Walk”, in How Do You Do

   Synonyms: putty in someone's fingers